Latest news with #youthdevelopment
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Manchester United legend confirms retirement... before announcing new role as part of academy shake-up
Manchester United have turned to a former player to take on the role of head of loans and pathways. United have fallen short compared to rivals in recent years when it comes to finding a good home for their young players sent out on loan. With the hunt underway for a new academy director, as well as the Under-18's manager, United have now filled what they see as a key role. In taking the role, former United centre back Jonny Evans has officially confirmed his retirement from professional football. 'I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead,' Evans said. 'I'll be forever indebted to the managers, coaches, staff and, of course, my team-mates, that I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my 20 years in professional football. 'My biggest and most heartfelt thanks must go to the fans who have supported me during every step of the journey. It's been an honour to be on the pitch and feel your passion home and away; I will be eternally grateful for every ounce of support.' Evans, who made 536 senior appearances during his career, is in the final stages of completing his UEFA A Licence as he assumes control of the loans department. 'I am looking forward to working with the next generation of talented players to support them to reach their potential,' he said. 'Having had experience of loans myself, I know the crucial role that they can play within a player's development. 'I am excited to help further develop the pathway to our first team and continue the legacy of young players thriving at Manchester United.' Director of football Jason Wilcox added: 'Having just finished his exceptional playing career, Jonny is the perfect role model for our young players. 'Jonny's knowledge of what it takes to succeed at Manchester United will be of great benefit to each of them as we continue to develop world-class talent capable of performing in our first team.'
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Science
- Times of Oman
South Al Batinah Governorate launches summer programme for students
A'Rustaq: The activities of the summer program for male and female students in the schools of South Al Batinah Governorate commenced today across the governorate's wilayats. Organised by the Directorate General of Education in South Al Batinah, this year's programme is being held under the slogan 'My Summer: Connection and Growth" and includes diverse scientific, technical, artistic, literary, social, sports, entrepreneurial, scouting, and media training programs. Amna Mohammed Al Balushi, Director of the Vocational Guidance and Student Counseling Department and head of the summer programme's planning and organizing committee in South Al Batinah, stated that the program will run for two weeks with the participation of students from various schools across the governorate. She explained that the initiative aims to make productive use of the summer vacation by benefiting participants, instilling values of citizenship, equipping them with scientific and practical skills, nurturing talents, expanding their knowledge, and enhancing their cognitive, intellectual, creative, and life skills. Additionally, it seeks to reinforce national identity, loyalty to the nation and the Sultan, promote ethical and social values, and strengthen students' skills in information technology, scientific innovation, and entrepreneurship. The program also trains participants in scientific thinking, innovation, and creativity across multiple fields. Al Balushi added that the summer program also aims to foster cooperation, teamwork, self-confidence, and self-esteem while creating greater opportunities to discover and refine student talents. It supports their experiences and develops various skills by nurturing and embracing their ideas. Furthermore, it enhances collaboration and partnerships among institutions and highlights heritage and tourism aspects. She noted that this year's programme will feature a range of skill-based activities in cultural, literary, artistic, sports, economic, tourism, and media fields. These include artificial intelligence applications, virtual reality, mental arithmetic, 3D printing, robotics, modern technologies, mountain adventures, climbing, swimming, various sports activities, first aid, drone and smartphone photography basics, debates, cultural competitions, acting, and diverse games. Additionally, the program will cover green schools, recycling, palm frond crafts, pottery, ceramics, drawing, and more. These objectives will be achieved through the programme's four main pillars: values and cultural enrichment, applied sciences, awareness and guidance, and student activities—all fundamental components in shaping students' personalities and emphasizing the importance of values in their lives.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Career in football? Why Hong Kong parents let son, 10, go to Spain to chase dream
A child stating an ambition to play for Real Madrid would concern some Hong Kong parents, who are often said to be reluctant to view sport as a viable career. But budding footballer Johnny So Chun-lam's mother and father have embraced his aspiration. The 11-year-old Johnny is the son of former Hong Kong midfielder So Loi-keung, who invested in every sense when he and his wife, Miu, allowed Johnny to move to Spain last July, aged 10. 'There are many talented children here, but Hong Kong lacks the football pathway to persuade parents to let them pursue their dreams,' said So Snr, who won three Hong Kong caps and played for Tai Po, Kitchee and Rangers. He said there was 'limited room for development as a professional player in Hong Kong'. 'The salaries are not good, there's no retirement package, and if you're injured, you just get abandoned,' he said. 'I tell Johnny, if he comes back to Hong Kong, football will not be his path.' 'I want to play for Real Madrid,' Johnny said. 'But I know I have a long way to go.' So Loi-keung and son Johnny watch Real Betis. Photo: Handout The boy was invited by the Spanish International Development scheme last year, after he outshone players four years his senior for Hong Kong's Resources Capital FC youth teams.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Precision Football celebrates three years as UAE's Ministry of Sports taps platform for national talent pipeline
Dubai United Arab Emirates: Precision Football, the high-performance platform backed by Agon Capital and founded by former professional footballer and UEFA-qualified coach Sonny Cobbs, is celebrating three years of operations. This milestone coincides with a strategic new partnership with the UAE Ministry of Sports, cementing its role as a key player in the country's long-term sports infrastructure and youth development strategy. The collaboration, signed earlier this year with Playermaker and the Ministry, formally integrates Precision Football into the UAE's national scouting, performance tracking, and player development ecosystem. The agreement also includes the rollout of a region-first diploma programme that blends elite athletic training with accredited academic pathways, a model designed to align with global benchmarks for professional sport. In just three years, Precision has trained more than 7,000 athletes, including Premier League talent and four players now competing with the UAE national women's team. Its 165,000 sq ft Dubai flagship houses FIFA-grade hybrid turf, smart recovery facilities, and one of the most advanced data-driven football analysis centres in the region. Private investment in the venture has exceeded USD $10 million to date. ' This is more than a training centre, it's a national asset, ' said Ryan Hattingh, Group CEO of Agon Capital. 'Precision Football represents the kind of investment we believe defines the future of our region: purpose-led, performance-driven, and deeply integrated with national priorities. As the Gulf continues to diversify its economy, there's a growing appetite for platforms that sit at the intersection of lifestyle, infrastructure, and long-term value. Precision is proof that sports can deliver not just social capital, but real economic return, and that private investment has a critical role to play in building the region's next generation of talent and opportunity.' Precision's proprietary tech stack integrates biometric analytics, cognitive tracking, heat mapping, and decision-tree modelling, capabilities typically only seen at top-tier European clubs. Every pass, sprint, and movement is translated into performance intelligence, giving athletes and scouts unprecedented visibility into real-time progress. 'Coaching today has moved far beyond the ball-and-whistle era. The modern game demands more - more insight, more precision, more accountability, said Sonny Cobbs, Founder and Creator of Precision Football. ' At Precision, we combine instinct and experience with data and analysis to develop players in ways that were never possible before. It's no longer just about what you see on the pitch - it's about what the data reveals beneath it. That's where real progress happens.' Beyond talent, the platform is helping reposition sport as a cornerstone of national development, bridging education, health, and entertainment. While Precision's technology is elite in standard, it's fully embedded into its academy and youth development programmes - ensuring that the same tools used to train professionals are also shaping the next generation. It also reflects Agon Capital's broader strategy of investing in scalable, future-forward lifestyle assets with fast ROI and cultural significance. With expansion into Saudi Arabia in planning, and additional UAE activations expected in 2026, Precision Football is positioning itself not just as a player development platform, but as a catalyst for the region's next-generation sports economy. About Agon Capital Agon Capital is a family-owned investment group based in the UAE, focused on real estate, hospitality, sports, and digital innovation. Its real estate portfolio includes premium developments across Dubai, including Eden House Za'abeel, a landmark project in partnership with H&H Developments. In hospitality, Agon Capital is known for its fast-growing F&B brands such as Gitano, BCH:CLB, Sailor's, and Coterie Social & Kitchen. In sports, its Precision Football platform is redefining elite football training and development. Driven by agility, ambition, and purpose, Agon Capital creates lasting impact through creativity and speed to market. For media inquiries, please contact: Meghan Lane Empyre Communications E: meghan@
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Crewe boxing club's new £1.9m gym 'will help break down barriers'
The opening of a £1.9m gym will help a boxing club "break down barriers" for young people in the community, its founder Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club's (ABC's) new home was officially opened on Mirion Street in Crewe, Cheshire, by Sport Minister Stephanie was the culmination of a five-year project carried out by the boxing club and Crewe Youth Club, as part of a drive to create more spaces for young people in the Clarke, founder and head coach of South Cheshire ABC, said he wanted to host other projects and schemes at the new site to encourage more people to attend. "It's unreal, you walk into the new boxing club and it's 'wow' every time," he told BBC Radio Stoke."We want to be able to deliver more than just boxing…It's about breaking down barriers for a start."The best thing about boxing is, they [the people] are from every walk of life. You don't always break down that barrier but boxing clubs do." Club member Kyra Davis, 20, said she has been on "a journey" ever since joining in 2019 and has plans to turn professional in the is a two-time England Boxing National Youth Development champion and a one-time National Association of Boys and Girls Club (NABGC) of the new gym, she said: "Look at it – it speaks for itself, it's amazing. It's a lot better than the one we were in. We're going to benefit from it so much more." The building has been constructed on the site of the town's former youth club, which burnt down a number of years ago, leaving the land Morris, chairman of Crewe Youth Club, said he always wanted to resurrect the site and "make something happen".He said the new gym was part of the club's mission to create more facilities and opportunities for young people. Read more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
